A vaccination campaign against measles is getting underway in Montreal to curb the outbreak of this highly contagious disease.
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Since the start of the year, 12 cases of measles, including 9 in Montreal, have been recorded in Quebec, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Faced with the resurgence of cases of the virus, the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’île-de-Montréal is going on the offensive by leading vaccination campaigns in schools.
These vaccination blitzes are necessary, particularly in neighborhoods where vaccination rates vary between 30 and 50%.
“This campaign will be targeted at groups and environments less vaccinated against measles […] A letter of consent has already or will be sent to the parents,” TVA Nouvelles is told.
Although it is contagious, measles has a mortality rate estimated at 1 in 3,000.
In order to avoid new outbreaks, a virologist recommends reimposing compulsory vaccination in schools.
“That would surely be a good thing, because it is a virus which still has quite significant consequences. We know that if we vaccinate at 95%, the population is protected. There was no more measles in recent years or extremely few cases. Suddenly, it reappears,” notes Jacques Lapierre, in an interview with TVA Nouvelles.
The Montreal Association of School Directors ensures that it is able to carry out the targeted vaccination campaign, despite the teachers’ strike which disrupted the school calendar.